• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2015

Purpose: The current study seeks to identify the effect of neck muscle strengthening exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the swallowing ability of patients diagnosed with dysphagia due to stroke. Methods: As a single case study, the current research conducted neck muscle strengthening exercise using PNF on the patient with dysphagia for 40 minutes, four times per week for a six-week period. At the same time, typical rehabilitation therapy for dysphagia was provided. This type of therapy included food-swallowing and the relation of the muscles surrounding the neck. The functional dysphagia scale and the penetration-aspiration scale were used to assess swallowing ability. Results: After the therapy, the functional dysphagia scale and the penetration-aspiration scale decreased by 18 points and 3 points, respectively, which proves the effectiveness of this type of therapy for dysphagia. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that neck muscle strengthening exercise using PNF reduces penetration-aspiration in patients with dysphagia, and that PNF can be clinically utilized to improve the swallowing ability of dysphagic patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the lower extremity function of chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants consist of 26 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=13) or a control group (n=13) and engaged in exercise three times per week for eight weeks. The experimental group engaged in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises and the control group engaged in general mat exercises. To measure lower extremity strength, the sit to stand test and the static balance test (standing on one leg) were used. To measure the stability index (SI) and weight distribution index (WDI), a Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) was used in addition to a static balance test (standing on one leg). Results: : Lower extremity strength and static balance showed a significant improvement in the experimental group (p<.05). The SI and WDI were significantly improved in the experimental group (p<.05) for tests of standing with their eyes open, standing with their eyes closed, and standing on a sponge with their eyes open. Conclusion: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises have confirmed that lower extremity function improves after exercise interventions in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.43-50
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion exercise and the Shaker exercises on the activity of the suprahyoid muscles in chronic stroke patients with dysphagia and to show what exercise methods are effective for swallowing rehabilitation. METHODS: This study was conducted at F hospital in Daegu from August 2014 to February 2017 with 60 participants who understood the purpose of the study and desired to participate. The 60 participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (PNF neck flexion exercise) (n=30) and a control group (Shaker exercise) (n=30). PNF neck flexion exercise was performed in the experimental group and the Shaker exercise was performed in the control group for 30 minutes, 5 times a week for 6 weeks. The activity of the suprahyoid muscles was measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: Both the experimental group and the control group showed a statistically significant change in the activity of the suprahyoid muscles before and after the treatment. The changes were also statistically significant when compared by group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, PNF neck flexion exercise should be used in addition to Shaker exercise when rehabilitating a patient with a swallowing disability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.237-246
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of forward-and-backward shift trunk exercise using a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) diagonal pattern in a closed kinematic chain exercise on the upper limb function and activity of daily living (ADL) in a stroke patient. Methods: One subject participated in this study. The study used a reversal A-B-A' design, where A and A' were the baseline period (no intervention), and B was the intervention period. The intervention was a forward-and-backward trunk shift exercise, using a PNF diagonal pattern on both a stand-on-hand position and a quadruped position of closed kinematic chain exercises, for 20 min per day for 2 weeks. The range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joint was measured and a Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity (FMA-UE) and a functional independence measure (FIM) were performed to measure upper limb function and activity of daily living (ADL). Results: ROMs of shoulder joint (flexion, extension, abduction, and external rotation) increased in the intervention phase. The FMA-UE score increased (from 28 to 36) in the intervention phase. The FIM score increased (from 20 to 25) in the intervention phase. These increases were maintained after intervention (Baseline II). Conclusion: These results suggest that forward-and-backward shift trunk exercises using a PNF diagonal pattern in a closed kinematic chain exercise have a positive effect on stroke patients' upper limb function and ADL ability.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.487-494
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• 1995

Two techniques were compared to test their effectiveness of frozen shoulder. The study was 20 cases of frozen shoulder who were treated at the department of physical therapy at Kum ma clinic during 6 months from 1 July, 1994 to 30 December, 1994. The treatment methods were application Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) and General Exercise(Pendulum exercise, Scratch exercise, Overhead pully, Shoulder wheel). The results obtained from these cases were as follows; 1. The subjects were 8(40 %) males and 12(60 %) females. The largest group was $50{\sim}59$ years of age 8 persons(40 %). 2. The majority of patients came for physical treatment within $7{\sim}10$ months after onset of shoulder pain(10 presons or 50 %) and 11 months after(4 persons or 20 %). 3. PNF cases recovered in average of 23 days and G - E cases 32 days. Also, the PNF method showed the best results in treatment of frozen shoulder better than the G-E.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

Purpose : This study aimed to compare the effect of two modes (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combination patterns and ball exercise) of low back stability for chronic low back patients. Methods : The subjects were recruited fourty patients who had low back pain. All subjects were randomly assigned to PNF combination patterns group, ball exercise group. Measurements were performed fourtimes: pre test, 2weeks, 4weeks, and 6weeks. Main outcome measures comprised the visual analogue scale(VAS), balance performance monitor(BPM). Results : The results were as follows. In the comparison of VAS score, sway area, sway path, and sway velocity according treatment period, score was significantly reduced in both PNF combination pattern group and ball exercise group. In the comparison of the both VAS and sway area between groups, there were significant. PNF combination pattern group significantly more decrease than ball exercise group at 6 weeks. However, both sway path and sway max velocity between group, there were not significantly. Conclusion : These results of this study indicated that PNF combination pattern which performed for six weeks had a significant influence than ball exercise group on low back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.9-23
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) exercise on body functions(gait, balance, lower extremity power) of elderly women. Methods : This study applied PNF exercise in a fall prevention program in addition to fall prevention seminars to an experimental group of 15 subjects and applied only fall prevention seminars to a control group of 15 subjects. The PNF exercise consisted of three sessions per week for 8 weeks and fall prevention seminars were composed of three times educations(0th, 4th, and 8th week). As a result of statistical analyses, following conclusions were obtained. Results : A 8-week PNF exercise significantly improved gait function and balance functions, lower extremity functions of elderly women. Conclusion : The PNF exercise in a fall prevention program was found to be effective to improve body functions(gait, balance, lower extremity power) of elderly women. In other words, the PNF exercise needs to be considered as an effective intervention for elderly women in order to strengthen their body functions and in fall prevention program.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck stabilization exercise with PNF for neck alignment, neck disability index, and sitting balance in adults with forward-head posture. Methods: Forty participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the neck stabilization exercise group (NSG, n = 20) and the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation neck pattern exercise group (PNFG, n = 20) were studied 30 minutes a day three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes were measured using cranial vertical angle (CVA), the Korean version of the neck disability index (KNDI), anterior limit of stability (ALOS), and posterior limit of stability (PLOS) before and after the intervention period. Results: There were significant effects in the CVA and the KNDI of both groups pre- and post-intervention. There were significant effects in ALOS and PLOS in the PNFG pre- and post-intervention compared with the NSG. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that PNF with neck exercise could be beneficial to the static balance of adults with forward-head posture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2019

Background: Compared to healthy people, patients with chronic lower back pain have reduced balance abilities which may cause proprioception problems, patients with chronic lower back pain avoid physical activities due to pain, and reduced activity levels lead to muscle weakening, which can further exacerbate pain. Recently, there have been many studies on the use of sensory stimulation; and among these studies, interventions that use vibrational stimulation have shown functional improvements in the patients. Objects: This study examined the effects of a stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation on the balance ability and disability in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: The subjects of the study were 30 persons who were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group, with 15 subjects in each. The subjects were evaluated before and after intervention via a balance ability test, the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) test, a pain test, and a proprioceptive sensory test. Both groups received general physical therapy. The experimental group performed the stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation, and the control group performed a general stabilization exercise, three times a week for six weeks. Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in the balance ability test, the KODI test, the pain test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. The experimental group showed statistically significant, higher improvements than the control group in the balance ability test, the KODI test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. Conclusions: The stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation for patients with chronic back pain has been reported to provide greater functional improvements than the conventional intervention method. Therefore, the stabilization exercise in a vibration stimulation environment could be a useful intervention for patients with chronic back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.278-281
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to compare the muscle activity of the deltoid muscle according to the range of motion during the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper extremity D2 pattern exercise performed with an isokinetic exercise device. The aim was to provide basic data for selecting an exercise for the relevant segment of the range of motion to enhance function in clinical practice. Methods: In this study, the relevant measurements of the anterior and middle trapezius of 25 healthy adults were taken using a surface electromyography system. The upper extremity pattern exercise was performed in three ranges (0% to 50%, 50% to 100%, and 25% to 75%) using the upper extremity isokinetic device. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the muscle activity ratios of the anterior and middle deltoid muscles according to the measurement conditions (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the activity ratio of the middle deltoid muscle according to the measurement conditions in the ratio from the start range to the end range (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the muscle onset time difference according to the measurement conditions (p>0.05). Conclusion: The muscle activity of the anterior and middle deltoid muscles was analyzed according to the range of motion during the PNF upper extremity pattern exercise performed with an isokinetic device. The results could be used as a basis for selecting exercises for the relevant segment of the range of motion according to the function to be emphasized.